Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, Niger’s Premier, welcomed Monday January 29 a delegation of the BRICS, few days after his international tour that took him to Russia and Iran, two-member countries of the intergovernmental organization. The visit comes as Niger seeks to diversify its partners after it scaled down ties with former colonial power France. BRICS initially made of Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa has expanded to include since last year United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Zeine embarked earlier this month on an international tour that took him to Russia, Iran, and Turkey. Niger is currently led by a junta that seized power on July 26 2023 after deposing President Mohamed Bazoum.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 30, 2024 14:48 UTC